[ACCI–CAVIE] On 11 September 2025, the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé hosted a vibrant celebration of women’s entrepreneurship in Cameroon. Organised by the GIZ, with the support of the European Union (EU), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and in partnership with the Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts of Cameroon (MINPMEESA), this high-level event was entrusted to the African Centre for Competitive Intelligence (ACCI).
Represented by two of its experts, the Centre delivered with rigour and excellence. A vote of confidence that underscores its credibility and the added value of its competitive intelligence expertise for development.
IYBA WE4A: An Ambitious Project for Women’s Empowerment
The event was part of the Investing in Young Businesses in Africa: Women Entrepreneurs for Africa (IYBA WE4A) project, a flagship GIZ initiative. Backed by the European Union, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and Cameroon’s Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MINPMEESA), the programme seeks to strengthen the economic inclusion of women across Sub-Saharan Africa. Its goal: to support female entrepreneurs in the green economy, reduce gender inequalities, and foster the creation of sustainable businesses.
The project is action-oriented, structured around four key components:
- Ideate: offering training and pre-seed funding.
- Develop: strengthening the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Grow: facilitating access to finance and growth opportunities.
- Connect: creating networks and exchange platforms for women entrepreneurs.
In Yaoundé, these objectives took shape in a dynamic gathering that brought together over 150 women entrepreneurs, diplomats, and strategic partners.
ACCI Experts Driving the Event’s Success
To moderate this “Bridging Event,” GIZ relied on the expertise of the ACCI. The selection of Dr Guy Gweth and Ms Sharon Ngome, a bilingual (French–English) team of experts, was no coincidence. It reflected a clear requirement: to ensure an intelligent, holistic, and seamless moderation for a diverse audience.
The assignment went far beyond facilitation. It required:
- a deep understanding of the IYBA WE4A project and the Cameroonian entrepreneurial landscape;
- the design of a rigorous and tailored event plan, developed in close collaboration with GIZ;
- precise management of the event’s structure and flow, ensuring smooth coordination of interventions;
- the preparation of a comprehensive report, analysing results, success factors, and recommendations for the future.
A Partnership that Makes Sense
The collaboration between GIZ and the ACCI emerged as a natural alliance. On one side, a leading international development agency known for its strategic approach and large-scale programmes. On the other, a pan-African organisation recognised as a reference point in Competitive Intelligence and strategic monitoring, with a sharp focus on entrepreneurship and development issues.
This strategic alliance on the grounds of rigour and performance promises lasting success for the IYBA WE4A project. It also symbolises an effective partnership between an international development agency and a local expert institution, working hand in hand to advance a shared mission: the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs in Africa, in the short, medium, and long term.
Editorial Team